SHERBURN — The Sherburn City Council heard an update from the Cemetery Board, presented by Dannielle Peters, during its meeting on Tuesday.

Peters reported that $15,000 was paid this year for mowing. There may be an additional $6,000 since it has rained so much. The city has taken some of the responsibilities since there is no board member in charge. The city measures and marks the plot, and a city employee digs the plot. The city assists in oversight and financial oversight (checks the checkbook) and collects donations. The city also prepares a deed for a plot, and the president of the board signs that deed and signs checks. Sometimes, the city answers historical search questions and questions about the cost of plots. The board is a volunteer-led group. The city has inherited more and more responsibilities and really needs to get someone to take charge of them. The city does not own the cemetery, but has the card records and also a spreadsheet, which they use. The time needed by city employees is considerable. There is a low cash flow and intermittent revenue. The cost of a plot is $600, and $600 for perpetual care.

A long discussion about the wage compensation study service proposed by the David Drown company was held, and the council approved hiring the company using the number one option he mentioned. The proposal would cost about $4,000. The clerk was admonished to make sure the correct information was provided so that the wages top and bottom amounts could be done by her, and the budget could be more easily worked out. The council agreed that it was important to motivate and compensate the employees to encourage them to stay employed by the city. It is difficult to file a wage evaluation sometimes because some employees do several jobs and have multiple roles. Some employees have to earn licenses, and that figures into the wages also. The council added that this should be included in the budget.

The council also heard from Jim Johnson who bought the property on 303 North Manyaska Street. He reported that the property has water in the basement 4 inches deep and was wondering what the city could do to help him alleviate the problem. A burm was built by a neighbor building a garage, and it makes the water go into his property more. There is a manhole nearby. He has changed gutters and talked to a contractor about building a burm to keep the water out of his basement. He has a large sump pump and has experienced quite a bit of expense. The city had a report from the engineer and suggested that he and the engineer have a meeting to discuss possible answers. He said they like living in Sherburn, and he will contact the engineer.

In other business, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) shop contract was discussed. The council ultimately approved a $1,700 a month fee for five years. Any structural improvement on the building would be paid through the EDA after quotes were obtained. The MnDOT would pay for the improvements.

The Sherburn City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Sept. 15 at City Hall.